Sometimes, you have to travel a little outside of your comfort zone to find a car that checks every box. In the case of this 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z, you’ll have to make the trek to Vancouver if it catches your eye. And really, it may be worth the drive, because this Camaro combines great colors and low miles with the hard-to-find 5-speed manual transmission. The seller notes it has just 32,0000 KMs, which works out to just under 20,000 original miles. Find it here on craigslist for $31,500.
Let’s talk first about the color scheme. The burgundy paint with the gold decals is just downright handsome, but then to pair it with the red cloth interior and carpeting is nothing short of eye-popping. I’m guessing this Camaro was a custom order when new, because I can’t see the dealer choosing this just to have it get parked on the lot. The 5-speed manual, of course, is the big story here since it’s surprisingly rare to find a 3rd-generation Camaro or Firebird with a stick. I’d love to know what other options this car has, since it seems likely the first owner added some other features to his or her liking.
The 305 V8 produced 170 b.h.p. and 250 lb-ft of torque. Healthy numbers for the era, and certainly more impactful with three pedals. The beauty of 3rd-generation Camaros and Firebirds is multifold: first of all, they are affordable to run. Secondly, upgrades exist in such a wide variety that you don’t have to over-modify these cars to gain a few extra horsepower. And third, cars like these simply don’t exist in large quantities despite the massive production numbers. You get to own a truly rare specimen without the massive price tag that comes with other high-performance vehicles.
The gold-painted coves on the wheels tie in nicely to the body decals, and rear window louvers are an absolute treat. This Camaro is indeed collector-grade, but even with the somewhat high asking price and cost of importation, I doubt you’d ever lose money on it. They have been undervalued for so long, and with the 5-speed manual, you can actually set it up for road course or autocross work if you want to add another (fun, and relatively harmless) dimension to the driving experience. Bigger sway bars, lower it slightly, and add some track tires and Bob’s your uncle! Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find.
These are starting to be recognized at auctions!!
Pretty nice one here!!
Beautiful design, beautiful car.
Great looking cars bobhess. 👍
Nice, 5spd as always is a plus, but it’s carbureted, not the preferred TPI.
Steve R
You couldn’t get a tpi with a manual Transmission
Thanks, I didn’t know that was the case in 1986.
Steve R
Yep. You could get a 5-speed 305 TPI in 85, but they inexplicably dropped the TPI 5-speed in 86. I elected to get the auto with the TPI in my 86 Z28, as that 305 carb engine was kinda doggy.
You could get a 5 speed with the TPI 305, but not the 350.
This one is a TBI version, but their asking TPI money for it
In the 90’s I had an 84 T/A 5 spd T top 305 tbi that I couldnt get to pass emissions, I conv to an Eddy 650 used HEI and passed like a new car, bright red with blk int, tall rear spoiler, 275’s all corners with Ferrari type wheels, rear louvers, beautiful car
In ’86 I was test driving at GMPG. They had 15 or so IROCs fitted with 5.0 tpi V8s and 5-speed transmissions running abuse testing. These cars ran all three shifts, nothing but shifting cycles on the 11.6% grade, down and up, the 1.3 mile straight and the 7.2% grade, about half mile up. These vehicles were usually ballasted to 75-85% of GVW. I don’t recall if the drivetrain was certified for ’86 production. I don’t believe the 5.7 V8 ever offered a manual in the 3rd generation car.
The 5.7, introduced in 87, was not offered with the 5-speed. And it was barely quicker than the 305 TPI. Back when GT 5.0s were eating their lunch!
Yeah, they were getting beat up by the Mustang. Great looking car that couldn’t cash the check. I drove a GTA, but it still didn’t feel as fast as my tired old Chevelle.
Nothin wrong with carburetor. in ’86 I had the same set up, ordered it that way. Brand new only cost $14,000.
This looks like the standard 305 4bbl, LPO LG4, that you could get in the Monte Carlo or Caprice. That engine was rated at 155 hp – unless the manual transmission had a higher HP rating. The other carb engine was the 305 H.O., LPO L69, and was a rare option.
And speaking of air, this one doesn’t have A/C. Caption Obvious, “That has some advantages or disadvantages, depending on the buyer.”
I’ve seen two of these… Both with LT1 359’s NOS from the factory… A dealer in Brockton MA ordered them.
How do you know there is no A/C? I’m not very knowledgeable about engines, so is it missing something like an AC compressor?
Cars are decent driver camaros but not in class of the 69 camaros class
To me, these cars scream for a resto-mod. I’m not talking 1000hp fire breathing he’ll hound, but at least double the hp. 300-400 hp range would make these awesome daily driver.
I couldn’t agree more Smokey. Thats exactly what I think about them. Be an awesome car with your 300-400 horse.
I agree. I owned an 84 Z28 that I bought new and I owned an 86 IROC that I bought used with 3,000 miles. The 84 was nice looking but no power. The 86 was really nice looking and drove and handled great. They just both needed to be 300-400 HP. Still wish I had the 86.
Would love to see a Resto- mod with manual and a Lt 1.
Bought an 86 TPI auto new, worse car I’ve ever owned, haven’t owned a Chevy since.
Brother in law in the Navy bought one of these new in 1984. We stored it for him for a couple years while he was deployed overseas. Drove it a few times just for ‘exercise’…it was a blast! 305 HO with auto trans…lots of low end, effortless burnouts and a healthy squawk when you hit 2nd gear! Didn’t know they had it in them, but that one did. Fun car!
I absolutely love the burgundy color with the bronze note to it. I settled for an 84 Z after I was told the 85 was not available with a manual due to the increased power of the new engine. I was heartbroken when I saw an 85 with a manual. Turns out a few leftover HO and regular engines with manuals that were leftover from 84 made their way into a handful 85’s making them pretty rare.
The 85 Z28 TPI 305 engines were avaliable with a 5-speed. But when I went to get an 86, they weren’t! And I believe that they were then available in 87! Long story, but I bought a new 85 Vette that turned out to be POS, so I bought the 86 Z28 TPI to replace it.